Farmers advised on milk handling
Kampala.
The things that seem small may be what will earn you incredible yields as a dairy farmer.
According to experts, while a farmer may invest in getting the best yields and feeding the cattle right, how they handle the milk on the farm is critical.
“The hygiene of the person milking and the equipment is important. They must be clean, easy to disinfect and the one milking must wash their hands,” says Dr Irene Mbatidde, an agronomist at Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research And Development Institute (MBAZARDI). Dr Mbatidde will be teaching and showing farmers how to maintain farm milk hygiene at the Seeds of Gold Farm Clinic slated for May 26 at MBAZARDI, Mbarara District.
According to Mr Charles Ayiasi Tabu, the editor Seeds of Gold magazine, dairy farming is a chief enterprise in western Uganda, thus the emphasis to guide farmer on how to produce better yields. “We have learnt that the Ministry of Agriculture is promoting dairy farming in western Uganda because it is already an enterprise that people in the region are keen on. We want to enhance this by exposing farmers to even better practices,” he said, adding that dairy production has the potential to be a big export for Uganda.
Tour
Participants will have a tour of MBAZARDI’s farm to get a practical feel and consult the experts available. Heifer International who have partnered with Monitor Publications for the clinic will also offer guidance to farmers.
Among the other aspects to be handled will be preparation before milking, transportation of milk, adding value to your milk, handling milk as well as proper feeding and care.
Enterprises
Besides dairy, the 9th farm clinic will also provide helpful information for enterprises such as banana, passion fruit, cassava, beans, mango and maize. Entrance to the farm clinic, which starts at 7am, is free.
